If you were around during the 1990s, you would have been hard-pressed to find anyone who hadn't heard of a little Nickelodeon series called Rugrats.
Although its initial run fell flat, the series quickly gained popularity thanks to reruns, ultimately turning into a global sensation. While some might initially pass the show off as something aimed strictly at younger children due to the characters themselves, the reality was that it was one of the rare shows willing to tackle adult themes while viewing them through the imaginative mind of a baby. Thanks to this premise, the series was truly unique and featured many standout episodes, including holiday specials that touched on Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. While these three episodes taught the world about different cultures and beliefs, it was episodes like the Mother's Day special where we saw a story focused on the loss of a parent, and how they are never truly gone. These moments pulled at your heartstrings and left lasting impressions on everyone who watched.
Eventually, the series continued to evolve, received its first animated feature film, and introduced major changes along the way. With topics such as pregnancy being raised alongside the introduction of new characters, the series was also a rare example of true progression. Even the seemingly one-off jokes and tiny pieces of history established during the early episodic format would continue to be a core part of the show. Audiences didn't just watch episodes of Rugrats; they got to see glimpses of these characters' lives each time it came on, which many would follow well into the early 2000s when the Rugrats crew themselves matured into pre-teens and teens.
Of course, as with anything popular and aimed at kids, it was only a matter of time before Rugrats video games were produced. Over the years, many titles were released across multiple consoles, and even a handful of PC activity games saw the light of day. However, most of these were one-time releases with no way to easily access them in the modern day—that is, until now.
Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection
The Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection features seven classic Rugrats titles that were originally released on the PlayStation, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. It includes three 3D adventures and four 2D handheld titles, with added features such as the ability to use save states in-game or rewind time. Manuals and box art are also included, along with a music player to listen to iconic songs—something the series is well known for thanks to the involvement of Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh. However, outside of these additions, these titles are exactly as they were back when they released, except they are now running on modern hardware with a higher resolution. In other words, fans of the originals will already know what they are in for, except one thing has changed—over twenty years have gone by.
As someone who played many of these titles when I was younger, it was interesting to revisit each title as someone who is now in their thirties. Rugrats: Search for Reptar was actually the main reason I wanted a PlayStation as a kid, and returning to it now is an instant blast of nostalgia, to say the least. But even so, there's no denying that these titles are not perfect, and only one of them has truly aged well by today's standards. They also offer very little for those who are not already fans of the series, so if Rugrats isn't something you care about, this collection is unlikely to change your mind. In my own personal case, however, my wife and I had actually just finished rewatching the entire show not too long ago, so it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.
With that being said, for this review I wanted to dive into each title individually. I did, in fact, play them all to 100% completion, and surprisingly, I discovered my favorite of the group wasn't even one I grew up with. As for the others, well, let's just say a lot has changed for me since 1998. Even so, I approached each entry with an open mind, considering both longtime fans and the children of today. Although the new Rugrats isn't quite the same as the original series, it still features the same iconic characters—albeit in a new form—and carries on a lot of the original themes and ideas, so it's always possible new fans might enjoy these titles as well. If they're willing to accept the original version of things, that is.
Rugrats: Search for Reptar
Rugrats: Search for Reptar marks the beginning of the Rugrats video game journey. Originally released in 1998, this PlayStation exclusive allowed fans of the popular cartoon to dive in and interact with the world itself. Featuring a full 3D recreation of the famous Pickles home—the main setting for most episodes of the series—the game took a unique approach to its level design. While the house itself is filled with toys to pick up and interact with, special objects act as gateways into the game's many stages.
The main goal in Search for Reptar is to locate the missing pieces of Tommy's Reptar puzzle, which are rewards for clearing the levels. Each stage is themed after a popular Rugrats episode but features alterations to fit the context of the game's plot. This leads to locations and general ideas being reused, though often with different characters involved or different catalysts for the stories. For example, the encounter with "Mr. Fiend" is limited to Tommy accidentally activating his dad's machine in the basement, causing it to mass-produce the robotic toy that scares him. It is a short, "boss fight" style stage, yet it still manages to capture the concept of the original episode.
Although the game isn't long—it can be completed in roughly an hour—the title was clearly aimed at the children watching the show at the time and is now for adults nostalgic for the series. There is a surprising amount of detail put into the game that may be overlooked if one doesn't take the time to fully explore. For instance, you can play fetch with Spike outside or even spot teasers for the then-upcoming The Rugrats Movie. These details serve no gameplay purpose, but they are fun inclusions that help flesh out the world. Within the stages, you can also discover Easter eggs that those unfamiliar with the source material might simply overlook.
Gameplay-wise, there is no denying how dated Search for Reptar is by today's standards, and the new version does nothing to improve upon it. The camera is awkward and sometimes too close, the controls feel stiff, and jumping can either feel ineffective or launch you too far. Thankfully, the collection includes a rewind feature to correct mistakes, though those who spent countless hours playing as children may still have the muscle memory ingrained. That being said, every stage is unique, requiring players to learn different mechanics on the fly. Ice Cream Mountain is a full mini-golf game, 7 Voyages of Cynthia puts players in control of Spike, Let There Be Light sees Tommy exploring the house in the dark using a flashlight to scare off "shadow monsters," and Mirror Land flips the house upside down, tasking you with collecting balloons while racing against the clock.
The game does not lack variety, but it remains a very simple experience where the controls are the greatest challenge to overcome. Visually, it looked great for 1998, but it is hard not to notice the jagged edges, model clipping, and polygons that do not fully close when viewing the game on an HD screen. This doesn't ruin the enjoyment, but the game is definitely a product of its time—one that would be great to see a full remaster of someday.
Ultimately, Search for Reptar is still a dream title for fans of the series and a nostalgic blast from the past for those who grew up with it. It isn't perfect, but it is arguably one of the two highlights of the Retro Rewind Collection and the main reason fans might even consider playing. In addition to the main game, the mini-golf side game is still a lot of fun to play with friends, giving the title a little extra replay value in the long run.
VERDICT: Recommended
Rugrats Studio Tour
Rugrats Studio Tour was the direct sequel to Rugrats: Search for Reptar. Developed by the same studio, n-Space, the game is the very definition of a standalone expansion. Rather than feeling like a completely new entry in the series, the title takes the resources and gameplay mechanics featured in Search for Reptar and repurposes them into what is essentially a minigame collection.
Taking place after the first Rugrats movie, the game follows Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Angelica, Susie, and newcomer Dil as they join Stu, Didi, and Grandpa Lou on a trip to a movie studio for a tour. After Dil gets locked behind a door, the babies set out to various movie sets to find the keys to set him free. Unlike the previous game, this features a completely original story, though it doesn't develop much beyond that premise. Strangely, while all the main characters retain their original voice actors and personalities, Larry and Steve—two teenagers seen working different jobs throughout the series—are portrayed as completely different characters. Larry serves as the tour guide and Steve as the security guard who accidentally locks Dil behind the door, and both feature new voices. While this doesn't impact the gameplay, it is a bit odd to see.
Moving past the basic plot, the game is broken up into different movie sets, each containing its own unique gameplay. Angelica is the default first character, with her area based on pirate movies. This section takes the basic 3D platforming stages seen in the previous title and adds a twist where one must find four keys to a treasure chest at the end. Following Angelica, the other characters take turns for parts two, three, and four of the stage—a pattern that repeats throughout the entire game. Moving past the platforming sections leads players to a collection minigame where all items within a stage must be picked up before the timer hits zero. It is essentially the Easter egg hunt from Search for Reptar, but with multiple stages and stricter time limits.
Besides these level types, the other themed areas have their own gameplay styles. Susie becomes a cowgirl and introduces minecart mazes, a shooting gallery, and the return of minigolf, while other stages are based on outer space and even a go-kart racing mode for Phil and Lil. All of these areas are unique and constantly change the gameplay, but at times they can overstay their welcome. While the previous title featured one-off stages, Studio Tour puts players through multiple rounds of the same task in succession, which can drag on—especially during the more tedious stages.
On the plus side, not every area needs to be finished to beat the game. Picking up Reptar Bar collectibles rewards players with additional keys to open the door, making it possible to speedrun to the ending rather quickly; technically, only one area must be completed. Because of this, players don't have to force themselves through stages or minigames they don't enjoy.
Honestly, the best part of Studio Tour is the improved minigolf game. It is more of the same, but that isn't a bad thing. With both titles included in the collection, players can easily swap between the two games to play a different set of holes, which keeps the experience from getting stale. Additionally, the go-kart racing can be a lot of fun with others, though you shouldn't expect the same quality found in other kart racers of that era.
Overall, Studio Tour isn't a bad follow-up, but it falls short of its predecessor and lacks the same impact for fans of the show. While the unique settings offer more variety than the Pickles' house, some maps are confusing, and the generic game modes can feel repetitive. Again, you can thankfully skip the more annoying sections and use the new rewind feature to counter deaths caused by awkward platforming, but these are simply workarounds for baked-in issues. There is also the fact that nothing was done to improve the controls or camera, which shows a lack of progression on the developer's part. That said, it was nice to see minigolf expanded upon, and the racing was a fresh idea.
Despite these flaws, Studio Tour was actually one of my favorite PlayStation titles as a kid. I have more memories playing the minigames with my dad than I do the main story mode, though I would go through the campaign from time to time as well. Revisiting it after all these years provided an instant blast of nostalgia, but there's no denying what the game truly is: a simply "okay" entry clearly aimed at a much younger audience—though it’s hard to say if today's younger generation would enjoy it as much.
VERDICT: Maybe
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (PlayStation)
The third and final 3D title in the collection is the PlayStation version of Rugrats in Paris: The Movie. While it is technically a follow-up to the previous 3D entries, this one was handled by Avalanche Software—the studio that previously developed the first two Rampage reboot titles and would later go on to create Tak and the Power of Juju and, more recently, Hogwarts Legacy. With a new developer taking the reins came a major shift in gameplay, though it is honestly most comparable to Studio Tour if anything.
Contrary to what many might assume at first glance, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie is not a platformer, but rather a theme park simulator. The game drops the Rugrats cast directly into EuroReptarland, the main setting of the animated film, and tasks them with collecting Golden Tickets to buy a helmet to control the giant mechanical Reptar. Similar to many licensed titles of the era, the game avoids spoiling key story points of the source material while offering a teaser of what moviegoers can expect—in this case, using Reptar to fight RoboSnail and save a princess. While this doesn't fully reflect the true plot of the film, it captures its spirit.
With the main plot established by an opening cutscene, players are free to roam the different sections of the park to play minigames and earn Golden Tickets. Red Tickets can also be collected and traded for prizes—which unlock additional minigames—but they are not strictly required to complete the game. Instead, every attraction must be finished at least once to move on to the final confrontation; however, this task is often easier said than done.
The game features a wide variety of minigame types with different goals for each. For example, the bumper cars include an air hockey-style mode as well as a balloon collection mode. Each earns a Golden Ticket and follows a similar concept while playing differently. On the other hand, Ooey Gooey World contains a boat ride where you must race against the clock with varying objectives. There are also plenty of one-off minigames, such as throwing cookies at targets, and the game features an expansive golf area—a feature these 3D Rugrats games simply excel at. Sadly, the aiming and power controls aren't as refined here as they were in the previous two titles, but the mode remains enjoyable.
Although Rugrats in Paris: The Movie is clearly aimed at children, the game itself is surprisingly challenging. Many of the games require near-perfect execution, and it isn't uncommon to finish a timed event with exactly zero seconds on the clock. The only reason you don't fail at zero is likely because the final fractions of a second are hidden by the timer. Even with constant practice, don't be surprised if your best times leave you with only a second or two to spare; the game expects peak performance just to succeed, which is unexpected for a kids' title.
Additionally, the tank controls in the overworld feel a bit slow and require some adjustment—especially if you're playing the 3D titles in succession. This control scheme was popular in other 3D titles at the time, such as Mega Man Legends or even the infamous Bubsy 3D. While some might find them clunky, they actually work quite well for exploring the park, which does a great job of emulating the feeling of walking around a theme park (albeit one without other park-goers). The slow "back up" action is rarely needed, so while the controls are jarring at first, they aren't a bad change. It would have been a nightmare, however, had the game featured true platforming.
Ultimately, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie is a decent addition to the 3D lineup, but one can't help wishing it was a little more than a minigame collection. Most of the games aren't particularly interesting, offering little reason to replay them once completed—unless you are determined to tackle the hard difficulty that unlocks after finishing the main story.
VERDICT: Maybe
Rugrats The Movie
The first handheld title included in the Retro Rewind Collection is none other than the Rugrats: The Movie video game for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. The title was originally released in 1998 for the Game Boy, but it received a full-color version the following year in 1999. Both versions of the game are identical in terms of gameplay, but players are free to choose which version they would like to play—with or without color.
Similar to many of the Game Boy entries in the series, Rugrats: The Movie is a 2D platforming game that uses the first Rugrats animated film as its core inspiration. The game features stages based on the movie—including the Pickles' basement, the living room, the hospital, the train wreck, and the woods—and is generally straightforward in its gameplay. Stages have hidden items to collect that are required to progress toward the goal, and bonus points are rewarded based on performance. Visually, the game is quite detailed for a Game Boy title, featuring impressive character sprite animations and music that will be familiar to fans of the series; however, not everything is as polished.
While the presentation itself is quite nice, the title suffers from the same issues many other platformers on the Game Boy family of consoles faced. The camera is often restrictive, leading to platforming sections that are simply "leaps of faith" and stage designs that can be quite confusing at times. The fact that there is no attack button—meaning all enemies must be avoided—only adds to the challenge. This makes it a game that younger players especially may struggle with, despite them being the core demographic. In the end, the game is unfortunately a somewhat generic platformer that could not compare to the other classics that dominated the console. However, it is far from the worst platformer, especially among licensed games, and the rewind function in this collection goes a long way. Those blind leaps at platforms can now be reversed—something we simply couldn't do back in the day—and that alone greatly improves the overall experience.
VERDICT: Maybe
Rugrats: Time Travelers
Rugrats: Time Travelers is the second handheld title included in the Retro Rewind Collection. Originally released in 1999 for the Game Boy Color, the game follows the Rugrats as they are pulled through a time machine located in Toy Palace—a device used as a one-off joke in the original show and previously referenced in Search for Reptar. The title was developed by Software Creations, the same team behind Rugrats: The Movie, and as such, Time Travelers feels like a direct continuation, albeit with some alterations.
Just as with Rugrats: The Movie, the artwork, character sprites, and music are outstanding and easily the best parts of the entire experience. On the other hand, this is also a generic platformer, though it is framed more as a maze than a series of standard levels.
While the camera issues from the previous title have been addressed, the general gameplay loop is what can really drag. Characters move slowly and must race against the clock to finish levels that are a confusing mess of platforms, ladders, doors, and switches. Each stage requires you to locate a key item and escape back through the time portal, which is often easier said than done. Once again, there is no way to attack enemies, meaning they must be avoided at all costs, and certain precision platforming sections can easily result in death. The new rewind feature is a lifesaver here, but it doesn't make the game any less frustrating. While in some ways Time Travelers is technically a step forward for the handheld titles, it is also arguably the weakest of the three.
VERDICT: Not Recommended
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (Game Boy Color)
The third and final Game Boy Color title included in the collection is Rugrats in Paris: The Movie. As the name implies, this game is based on the second Rugrats animated film, but it focuses specifically on the movie's final act. In this adventure, Chuckie must stop his dad from marrying Coco; to do so, he and his friends must navigate EuroReptarland and eventually make their way to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Progress requires playing various carnival-themed minigames to earn tickets, which then allow the babies to access the main stages. This is where the game differs significantly from the previous two, as these minigames must be revisited periodically to continue earning enough currency to advance.
Once enough tickets are gathered, the stages themselves feel very similar to what the previous two games offered—though they are a bit of a mix of both styles. Some levels are more linear, like those in Rugrats: The Movie, while others incorporate puzzles and require finding specific items, much like Time Travelers. Again, the camera can cause issues when landing jumps—especially on the moving platforms featured in the final stage—but players tackling these games in order will already be accustomed to using the rewind feature. Without it, some of these stages can be absolute nightmares that require more patience than most will be able to muster.
Overall, the game isn't too challenging, and it is more entertaining than Time Travelers. Still, it isn't a masterpiece by any means, and it is hard to recommend to anyone other than fans of the movie who don't mind playing basic platformers.
VERDICT: Maybe
Rugrats: Castle Capers
The final game in the Retro Rewind Collection is the one and only Game Boy Advance title, Rugrats: Castle Capers. Surprisingly, this game alone can make the entire collection worth playing.
Castle Capers is the direct follow-up to Rugrats in Paris: The Movie and somehow manages to be a major step up from the previous three titles. While this could be partly due to the upgrade to newer hardware, nearly every aspect of the game has been greatly refined. While the previous titles were visually stunning for Game Boy Color games, the sprites and general artwork in Castle Capers are on a whole other level, looking almost as if they were ripped right from the cartoon itself. The music is also top-notch, helping players feel as if they have just stepped into an episode of the show. Beyond the presentation, however, the gameplay truly stands out. It is a title worth playing not just for fans, but for lovers of the platforming genre as well—something that cannot be said about any other game in this collection.
The story involves the Rugrats cast jumping into multiple fairytales, such as Jack and the Beanstalk, with the simple goal of making it to the end of each story. Rather than forcing players to use specific characters within each stage, as seen in previous titles, the game allows you to pick your favorite baby and play the stages in any order you choose. Taking a page out of other popular handheld platformers like Kirby, the game features a mini-hub area with doors to each stage and a final door that opens once all others are completed. Because of this format, no single stage is significantly harder than the others, but that doesn't take away from the fun.
Once in a stage, the game plays like a typical platformer with multiple items to pick up for points—including bonuses for finding them all—and hidden areas to discover. The controls feel great and are responsive, making platforming a breeze in most cases. However, there are specific situations where the game's collision detection can glitch, snapping characters weirdly and causing you to miss a jump. I have referred to it time and time again, but this is where the rewind function is useful; even without it, missing a jump isn't the end of the world. These stages are designed for exploration, and falling often simply leads you to a new area with more items to collect.
Although there is still no dedicated "attack" button, the game makes two major alterations that go a long way. Food items, specific to each area, can be picked up and tossed at enemies to distract them—effectively defeating them—and each stage features two additional Rugrats characters to discover. If you find them, they will follow your character; you can then stack on top of each other in classic Rugrats fashion and launch yourself into the air for a higher jump. This can be used to skip sections or access challenging areas, and it is key to achieving 100% completion. Both of these new abilities alleviate the frustrations found in the previous three handheld releases, making the game a joy to play.
That being said, the game isn't perfect and is on the shorter side. The entire experience can be finished in roughly an hour, and it is a shame the boss fights are nothing more than throwing food at minions or avoiding Angelica for a set period of time. It would have been nice if the developers had gotten more creative and actually let you "fight," but these are small drawbacks in an otherwise enjoyable platformer.
VERDICT: Recommended
Should you play it?
Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection is a great compilation for fans of the series and those who are nostalgic for the original releases; however, it offers very little for anyone else. There is some fun to be had here, sure, but nothing has changed in the decades since these games were first released. All of the original annoyances remain, and the minigame-focused titles might not be for everyone, but thankfully, the new rewind feature can help players get through these frustrations. Overall, I do not regret my time playing through these classics, but players should be aware of what they are in for before diving in.
OVERALL VERDICT: Maybe
Reviewed on PlayStation 5
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